Author name: highlandnews

Meeting to discuss NW regional balance taking place in Glenties today

A public meeting to discuss the need to address regional imbalance and reverse rural decline is taking place in Glenties this evening. Midlands North West MEP Chris MacManus, who is hosting the event along with Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty says it is clear from many reports through the years that the region is in need

Meeting to discuss NW regional balance taking place in Glenties today Read More »

Special meeting told L’Kenny Plan intends to provide for significant increase in housing and jobs

A special meeting of Donegal County Council is underway to approve the Draft Letterkenny Plan and Local Transport Plan. It follows two periods of public consultation since the plan was published in January, with 62 proposed alterations being discussed today. Half of them have already been accepted this morning, with discussions underway on the remaining

Special meeting told L’Kenny Plan intends to provide for significant increase in housing and jobs Read More »

Investigations continue after two spectators seriously injured during Donegal Harvest Mini-Stages Rally

Investigations are continuing after two spectators were seriously injured during the Donegal Harvest Mini-Stages Rally on Saturday. At around 12:30pm a car struck two men, aged in their 60s and 40s at one of the rally stages near Falcarragh. Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene and the men were taken to Letterkenny University Hospital

Investigations continue after two spectators seriously injured during Donegal Harvest Mini-Stages Rally Read More »

‘Enforcement the issue’ as four drivers arrested for driving under influence – JPC Chair

Enforcement is an issue as people continue to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Donegal. That’s according to the Chair of Donegal’s Joint Policing Committee who has been speaking out after four motorists were caught drink or drug driving in the county in one night alone over the weekend. Councillor Gerry McMonagle

‘Enforcement the issue’ as four drivers arrested for driving under influence – JPC Chair Read More »

Tanaiste to visit Egypt, Israel and occupied Palestinian territory this week

The Tanaiste is to visit Egypt, Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory later this week. Micheal Martin made the announcement at a meeting of the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels this morning. He says he will be engaging in particular about Emily Hand, the 8 year old Irish-Israeli who was kidnapped by Hamas, and

Tanaiste to visit Egypt, Israel and occupied Palestinian territory this week Read More »

Calls for even share of support for Tidy Towns groups in Donegal

There’s calls for Donegal County Council to ensure all Tidy Town s groups in the county are evenly supported. Following the success of Donegal in this year’s competition, Councillor Patrick McGowan says a fair share of assistance needs to be delivered to all small towns also. He says it is not only financial assistance that

Calls for even share of support for Tidy Towns groups in Donegal Read More »

Broadband connections available for more than 200,000 properties across country

Broadband connections are now available for more than 200,000 homes, farms and businesses across the country. National Broadband Ireland says it means well over a third of the premises its targeted, now have access to the high-speed fibre infrastructure. While three in five have now moved to or through the construction phase under the National

Broadband connections available for more than 200,000 properties across country Read More »

Special Council meeting to consider Draft Letterkenny Plan today

A special meeting of Donegal County Council is taking place today. The Draft Letterkenny Plan and Local Transport Plan is on the agenda. Councillors will consider the Chief Executive’s Report on submissions received during the consultation period on Proposed Material Alterations to the plan. The meeting gets underway at 10am at County House, Lifford.

Special Council meeting to consider Draft Letterkenny Plan today Read More »

Drivers urged to take care as Storm Debi hits Donegal

Drivers are urged to take care on the roads this morning as Storm Debi tracks the country. There’s widespread disruption to travel and public transport services with a red wind warning expanded to include Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow, Louth, Meath, Laois, Offaly and Westmeath which remains in place until 9am. A status yellow wind and rain

Drivers urged to take care as Storm Debi hits Donegal Read More »

Minister for Health encourages GP visit card applications as additional 215,000 people become eligible

The Minister for Health is encouraging people to apply for GP visit cards as an additional 215,000 people become eligible. This is the third expansion of the scheme this year which has made free GP care available to an estimated additional 500,000 people across the country. It follows the toll-out of free GP Visit Cards

Minister for Health encourages GP visit card applications as additional 215,000 people become eligible Read More »

Sea wall on Tory Island must be completed as a matter of urgency – Councillor Michael McClafferty

Cathoirleach of Glenties Municipal District says the sea wall on Tory Island must be completed as a matter of urgency. Cllr. Michael McClafferty says the wall was not completed at the time of construction, resulting in those housed at the coastline living in fear of losing their homes. Cllr. McClafferty described the erosion of the

Sea wall on Tory Island must be completed as a matter of urgency – Councillor Michael McClafferty Read More »

Calls for new groups to join Donegal’s ‘Adopt a Monument’ programme

The Heritage Council is looking for new groups to join its ‘Adopt a Monument’ programme and to adopt a monument in their locality. Applications are open until 5 p.m. tomorrow. The scheme is designed to identify a monument in your locality that would benefit from some care and attention and to support a local community

Calls for new groups to join Donegal’s ‘Adopt a Monument’ programme Read More »

Extension of Fanad to Letterkenny bus service hours welcomed by local councillor

There are calls to extend the hours of service for a Fanad to Letterkenny bus service. The Local Link 300 route has proved to be popular by people in the area as a primary mode of transport. The route covers from Fanad to Letterkenny and passes through Ballylare, Portsalon, Kerrykeel, Rathmullan and Ramelton. This extension

Extension of Fanad to Letterkenny bus service hours welcomed by local councillor Read More »

More than one in four hospital consultants sign up to new Sláintecare contract

More than one in four hospital consultants have signed up to the new public-only Sláintecare contract. The contract – launched in March – doubles the hours that consultants can be rostered, in an effort to extend the amount of time senior clinical decision-makers are on duty across the health service. 1,056 consultants have now signed

More than one in four hospital consultants sign up to new Sláintecare contract Read More »

Industrial action may be pursued by NCHD’s if HSE does not provide satisfactory responses to recruitment freeze commitments

The HSE recruitment freeze expansion has meant that it won’t be possible to meet targets for acceptable standards of working. An additional 800 Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors were agreed to be necessary by the HSE and Department of Health. Chair of the NCHD Committee Dr Rachel McNamara says that the recruitment freeze means the continuation of

Industrial action may be pursued by NCHD’s if HSE does not provide satisfactory responses to recruitment freeze commitments Read More »

Fine Gael and Sinn Féin coalition will not come about after next year’s general election- Minister Simon Harris

A Fine Gael and Sinn Féin coalition is not going to come about after next year’s general election. Higher Education Minister Simon Harris says there is no member of the party – that he’s aware of – who would welcome the idea. Before the last general election in 2020, Fine Gael also said they wouldn’t

Fine Gael and Sinn Féin coalition will not come about after next year’s general election- Minister Simon Harris Read More »

Donegal Councillor Doherty calls for more information for locals during proposed road closure in Clonmany

A Donegal Councillor has raised concerns for the wellbeing of a local community in response to a proposed road closure at Straid in Clonmany. Cllr Albert Doherty says that there is a lack of information for the local people on how they will enter and exit the Pinch Road or Mamore Gap which can be

Donegal Councillor Doherty calls for more information for locals during proposed road closure in Clonmany Read More »

Man and woman in Strabane released on bail following drugs seizure and arrest

A 44-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man arrested following a search in Strabane on Friday evening have been released on police bail to allow for further police enquiries. The two people were arrested during a search of a house, officers seized a large quantity of suspected Class A and C drugs, together with a number

Man and woman in Strabane released on bail following drugs seizure and arrest Read More »

Government funding of €600,000 for this year’s Science Week

The focus of this year’s Science Week is centred around ‘being human, and how we interact with the world around us’. Government funding of €600,000 will be used to host 15 festivals and hundreds of event, right across the country. Science Minister Simon Harris is excited by the programme, which kicks off today.

Government funding of €600,000 for this year’s Science Week Read More »

PSNI detectives appeal for information following arson report in Ballycastle

Detectives are appealing for information following a report of arson at residential premises at the Boyd Court area of Ballycastle yesterday. Shortly after 4:45am, it was reported that entry had been gained to a ground floor flat in the area through a front window with fuel blocks placed on a sofa inside and set alight.

PSNI detectives appeal for information following arson report in Ballycastle Read More »

Donegal County Council Draft Climate Action Plan now available for public consultation

The Donegal County Council’s Draft Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 is now available for public consultation. The Draft Plan sets out how the local authority will promote a range of mitigation, adaptation, and other climate action measures, to help deliver on the national climate obligations and the Government’s overall Climate Objective. More information is available on

Donegal County Council Draft Climate Action Plan now available for public consultation Read More »

Main repair works may affect water supply disruptions in Ballyliffin and Carndonagh

Repairs to a burst water main may cause supply disruptions to Ballyliffin, Carndonagh and surrounding areas in Co. Donegal. Works are scheduled to take place until 4pm today. The council recommends that you allow 2-3 hours after the estimated restoration time for your supply to fully return.

Main repair works may affect water supply disruptions in Ballyliffin and Carndonagh Read More »

Home ownership has collapsed for an entire generation – Deputy McDonald

The Sinn Fein Leader has slammed the Government’s record on housing. Mary Lou McDonald told the party’s Ard Fheis last night, that home ownership had collapsed for an entire generation, under the current government. Deputy McDonald is laying the foot of blame for the housing crisis firmly with the coalition:

Home ownership has collapsed for an entire generation – Deputy McDonald Read More »

Four drivers arrested in Donegal last night on suspicion of drunk driving

Gardaí in Donegal arrested four drivers last night on suspicion of drink driving in the Buncrana District. Two of the arrests were made in the Carndonagh area in the Buncrana area. Donegal Gardaí are advising people to always make wise decisions before getting behind the wheel of a car and have raised concerns that road

Four drivers arrested in Donegal last night on suspicion of drunk driving Read More »

Mid-Ulster MLA Linda Dillon says executive is needed for health service as soon as possible

Day Two of Sinn Féin’s Ard Fheis is taking place today. The conference is being seen as a countdown to the next general election. Speaking on the party’s plans for the Health Service was MLA Linda Dillon. She says that the most valuable resource of the country’s health service is the workers. She says an

Mid-Ulster MLA Linda Dillon says executive is needed for health service as soon as possible Read More »

EU’s Nature Restoration Law may impact farmers in the country

Farmers claim the EU’s Nature Restoration Law will have a significant impact on Ireland because of our extensive wetland habitats. The law aims to restore the majority of Europe’s degraded ecosystems by 2050. However IFA Environment Chair Paul O’Brien is calling on the government to address farmers’ concerns:

EU’s Nature Restoration Law may impact farmers in the country Read More »

Applications for Donegal County Council conservation grants now open

Donegal County Council is now accepting applications for two conservation grants. Applications for the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Structures Fund are now open. The closing date for these applications is 4pm on Friday the 19th of January 2024. More details are available on eligibility on the Council’s website at donegalcoco.ie

Applications for Donegal County Council conservation grants now open Read More »

Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty says housing crisis is a national scandal

Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty has said that the housing crisis is scandalous. Day two of Sinn Féin’s Ard Fheis has kicked off in Athlone this morning. The conference is being seen as a countdown to the next general election: Finance Spokesperson for Sinn Féin Pearse Doherty says that the housing crisis in the country is

Donegal Deputy Pearse Doherty says housing crisis is a national scandal Read More »

HSE’s extended recruitment freeze described as catastrophic – INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha

The HSE’s extended embargo on recruitment’s been described as ‘catastrophic’ by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation. Unions have been meeting urgently following the news that the recruitment freeze is being extended to all categories of staff. General secretary of the INMO Phil Ni Sheaghdha says increasing bed-numbers is great, but not if there aren’t

HSE’s extended recruitment freeze described as catastrophic – INMO General Secretary Phil Ní Sheaghdha Read More »

Hopes for 29 new homes to be built i nGaoth Dobhair following government approval for building on site

There are hopes for 29 new houses to be built in Gweedore following government approval to build on the site of an unoccupied school. A Donegal councillor says that this is welcome news for the area as they are long-term homes for people who do not see a future in their own community. Cllr Micheal

Hopes for 29 new homes to be built i nGaoth Dobhair following government approval for building on site Read More »

IFA highlights concerns of farmers over proposed Sligo/Leitrim Greenway

The Irish Farmers Association has highlighted objections and concerns of farmers over the proposed Sligo/Leitrim Greenway. The IFA is requesting a re-assessment of the proposals with the objective of using State-owned or State-controlled lands for the Greenway project as the vast majority of the lands on the proposed routes are in private farmer ownership, according

IFA highlights concerns of farmers over proposed Sligo/Leitrim Greenway Read More »

Donegal man receives National Bravery Award following rescue of woman at Carrickfinn Beach

A Donegal man received a National Bravery Award today for individuals who risked their own lives to aid others in peril. Francis Doherty received a Silver Medal and Certificate of Bravery at the ceremony today for his actions on the 15th of May 2022. On the 15th of May 2022, two women were taking their

Donegal man receives National Bravery Award following rescue of woman at Carrickfinn Beach Read More »

Hopes for a resolution between RTÉ and Public Accounts Committee

It’s hoped the impasse between RTE and the Public Accounts Committee will be resolved soon. The Committee has requested a document detailing a meeting in 2020 which allegedly refers to an agreement on undisclosed payments to Ryan Tubridy. RTÉ put forward a proposal to summarise the meeting rather than provide the document for legal reasons.

Hopes for a resolution between RTÉ and Public Accounts Committee Read More »